By Natalie Kim

The Nov. 3 Diamond Bar City Council meeting began with a presentation of Certificate of Recognition to Katherine Kim, the winner of the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library essay contest. The theme of the contest was “How a Book Changed my Life,” and Kim wrote a moving essay about The Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and how the book inspired her to push out of her comfort zone and become involved with her school and various extracurriculars.

During the public comments, a representative of the Diamond Bar Public Library announced several upcoming events, such as a workshop to learn to change coffee filters into candle holders for LED lights; a workshop for teens to learn how to budget finances on Nov. 7 from 2 to 3 p.m.; a holiday card making event on Nov. 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; and a Social Security workshop on Nov. 17 from 1 to 2 p.m.

Following the public comments, the schedule of future events was read. Election day was Nov. 3, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m.; a Veterans Celebration will be held on Nov. 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Diamond Bar Center, 1600 S Grand Ave.; The Nov. 10 Planning Commission meeting is cancelled; Veterans Day is on Nov. 11 and city offices will be closed; Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting is on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Windmill Community Room; the 2015 Eco Expo is on Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the AQMD parking lot; and the next City Council meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the AQMD Government Center Auditorium.

The Council then approved all items on the Consent Calendar, including City Council minutes from Oct. 20; Parks and Recreation Commission minutes from July 23 and Aug. 27; Planning Commission minutes from Sept. 8; ratification of check register totalling $1,138,640.51; the Treasurer’s Statement for the month of September; an amendment to the memorandum of understanding between the City and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for State Route 60/Lemon Avenue Partial Interchange Construction; appropriation of $193,921 of Federal Surface Transportation Program-Local funds and $32,000 of Prop A Fund Reserve to the FY 15-16 Capital Improvement Program budget and approve contract amendment with All American Asphalt for construction of the Grand Avenue Beautification Project; appropriation of $60,000 of Prop C Fund Reserve to the FY 15-16 Capital Improvement Program budget and approve contract amendment 1 to the consulting services agreement with Onward Engineering for construction administration services for the Grand Avenue Beautification Project; adopt a resolution for the subdivision of air space for a 10-unit warehouse condominium, located at 614-646 Brea Canyon Road; approval of an amendment to the agreement with Access Control Security to increase the contract authorization for the 2015/2016 fiscal year in the amount not to exceed $73,000, plus appropriation of $38,000 from General Fund Reserves for guard services at Peterson Park required during construction of improvements; and approval of an amendment to the contract with Achiterra Design Group for a value engineering analysis of the construction documents for the ADA retro-fit of Longview Park South and Star Dust Park in the amount not to exceed $25,600.

The Council adjourned with plans to meet again on Nov. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the AQMD Government Center Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive.